Evaluation of different doses of propofol in xylazine pre-medicated horses

To characterize responses to different doses of propofol in horses pre-medicated with xylazine.

Six adult horses (five females and one male).

Each horse was anaesthetized four times with either ketamine or propofol in random order at 1-week intervals. Horses were pre-medicated with xylazine (1.1 mg kg-1 IV over a minute), and 5 minutes later anaesthesia was induced with either ketamine (2.2 mg kg-1 IV) or propofol (1, 2 and 4 mg kg-1 IV; low, medium and high doses, respectively). Data were collected continuously (electrocardiogram) or after xylazine administration and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after anaesthetic induction (arterial pressure, respiratory rate, pH, PaO2, PaCO2 and O2 saturation). Anaesthetic induction and recovery were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed.

Differences in the quality of anaesthesia were observed; the low dose of propofol resulted in a poorer anaesthetic induction that was insufficient to allow intubation, whereas the high dose produced an excellent quality of induction, free of excitement. Recorded anaesthesia times were similar between propofol at 2 mg kg-1 and ketamine with prolonged and shorter recovery times after the high and low dose of propofol, respectively (p < 0.05; ketamine, 38 +/- 7 minutes; propofol 1 mg kg-1, 29 +/- 4 minutes; propofol 2 mg kg-1, 37 +/- 5 minutes; propofol 4 mg kg-1, 50 +/- 7 minutes). Times to regain sternal and standing position were longest with the highest dose of propofol (32 +/- 5 and 39 +/- 7 minutes, respectively). Both ketamine and propofol reversed bradycardia, sinoatrial, and atrioventricular blocks produced by xylazine. There were no significant alterations in blood pressure but respiratory rate, and PaO2 and O2 saturation were significantly decreased in all groups (p < 0.05).

The anaesthetic quality produced by the three propofol doses varied; the most desirable effects, which were comparable to those of ketamine, were produced by 2 mg kg-1 propofol.